WHEREAS, overseers of the Christian church are to live lives above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:5-7), and
WHEREAS, Christians are to be governed by the laws of the land in so much as they do not conflict with the laws of God (Romans 13:1-5), and
WHEREAS, Gods hates sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5), and
WHEREAS, God executes justice for the vulnerable and calls His people to act in accordance (Deuteronomy 10:18), and
WHEREAS, sexual abuse has left in its wake long-term mental and emotional devastation in the lives and families of those who have endured suffering and been ignored, and
WHEREAS, The Kentucky Baptist Convention has consistently stood firm in its support for the authority of the word of God as our guide for all matters of life, death, and faith.
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the messengers of the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Bowling Green, Kentucky November 15, 2022, commit to immediately report all suspicions and accusations of sexual abuse to necessary legal authorities when brought to our attention, regardless of legal exemptions, and be it further
RESOLVED, that should a survivor of abuse report their abuse to any person in the KBC or affiliated churches, the KBC will support churches when they report abuses to authorities by providing non-legal counsel, wisdom in ways to care for victims and recommendations for church procedures, and be it finally
RESOLVED, that the people of the church would plead to the Lord for open hearts to mourn fully with the victim of abuse as taught in Romans 12:9115. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves….Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”